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Are you struggling with structuring your Psychology extended essay? Don't worry, Clastify is here to help! Below you'll find helpful tips on formatting and structuring your EE. While we recommend this structure based on our successful history of helping students receive top ratings for their essays, feel free to customize the guide below according to your preferences.
Psychology EE Format and Structure
The extended essay is a 4,000-word academic investigation. In Psychology, the essay must be a review of secondary sources and peer-reviewed research, as the collection of primary data is strictly prohibited for the EE.
Title Page and Table of Contents
Title Page Requirements – The title page must clearly state your student code, the focused research question, the subject (Psychology), and the final word count. To maintain academic integrity, ensure there is no student, supervisor, or school name anywhere on this page or in the file.
Table of Contents – This section is required at the start of the essay to show all subsections and their corresponding page numbers. It serves as a necessary guide for the reader to navigate the structure of your investigation.
Formatting Standards – The essay should be written in font size 12 with 1.5 line spacing to aid on-screen marking. Page numbering is mandatory and must begin on the first page immediately following the table of contents.
Introduction
Topic and Focus – Present your topic clearly and define the specific psychological issue that will be the focus of the investigation. This section tells the reader what to expect and outlines the scope of the research undertaken.
Context and Significance – Provide the necessary background information to establish the significance and purpose of your research. You should explain why the topic matters and how it connects to the wider context of the discipline.
Psychological Framing – Identify the psychological issue and use relevant terminology and concepts accurately to demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter. Consistent use of subject-specific "jargon" helps identify you as someone who understands the nature of psychology.
Approach and Sources – Indicate your research approach and provide an indication of the types of secondary sources and peer-reviewed literature you intend to use. This helps establish the methodology and the framework through which the analysis will occur.
Research Question – The introduction must explicitly state the focused research question. This question is the starting point for your line of argument and helps keep the essay within the 4,000-word limit.
Research Question
Nature and Clarity – The research question must be framed as an actual question, not a statement, and be clearly stated and focused. It should be specific enough to allow for an in-depth exploration within the scope of the essay.
Scope and Depth – The question should use clearly defined variables to invite critical examination and encourage analysis rather than a descriptive response. It must allow for the development of a reasoned argument and the synthesis of research findings.
Secondary Data Reliance – In Psychology, the research question must be answerable solely through the analysis of existing peer-reviewed research and secondary data. You must ensure there is a sufficient range of high-quality resources available to sustain the required depth of detail.
Methodology
Overall Strategy – Explain your methodology as the overall research strategy and justify why this lens is suitable for answering your research question. You should describe the specific procedures used to collect, sort, and organize the information.
Source Selection Criteria – Describe the criteria used to select your research materials and justify their relevance to the investigation. For secondary data, these selection criteria should be made explicit to show how you chose the peer-reviewed articles used in the essay.
Reliability and Range – Ensure you have a sufficient range of high-quality secondary sources to allow for an effective and balanced investigation. A more rigorous research process involving diverse, reputable sources is likely to lead to more reliable findings.
Analysis and Body
Reasoned Argumentation – Present the body of your essay as a reasoned argument where each paragraph makes one main point supported by evidence from your research. This involves breaking down the topic to establish relevant findings derived from the literature.
Sustained Line of Argument – Maintain a clear, logical thread that links the research question, findings, and conclusions throughout the entire essay. Using signposts like headings helps the reader follow where your argument has come from and where it leads.
Critical Analysis – Move beyond description to break down the topic and evaluate the research materials by weighing their strengths and limitations. Avoid over-extensive quoting; your knowledge and analytical skills must be evident in your own writing.
Terminology and Concepts – Consistently use accurate psychological terminology and key concepts to demonstrate a deep understanding of the topic. This specialized language identifies your work as a competent piece of academic psychological research.
Consistent Citations – Use a standard, consistent referencing style for all in-text citations to acknowledge the work and ideas of others. This practice supports academic integrity and builds trust with the reader.
Conclusion and Evaluation
Summative Conclusion – Provide a final, summative conclusion that directly and clearly answers the research question based on your findings. This section states what has been achieved through the research.
Don't Introduce New Data – Synthesize the main points made in the body of the essay without introducing any new information or ideas. The conclusion should be a well-explained synthesis of the results rather than a mere repetition of them.
Critical Evaluation – Discuss the effectiveness of your essay by evaluating your research materials and weighing their strengths and limitations. This involves being aware of the positions and views of the authors of your sources.
Unresolved Issues – Acknowledge any limitations of the research and suggest potential questions for further study that arose during the process. This demonstrates a reflective and thorough approach to the investigation.
Bibliography
Complete List of Sources – Provide a detailed list of all sources consulted during your research, ensuring they are presented in a standard academic format. A bibliography includes everything you read, while a reference list includes only what you cited.
Formatting and Consistency – Use a single referencing style consistently throughout the list and ensure all required information, such as author names and URLs, is included. Citation and referencing show that you know the writing conventions of your subject.
Word Count Exclusion – The bibliography/reference list is not included in the 4,000-word limit. This allows you to list all necessary materials without compromising the length of your analysis.
You are now one step closer to writing a high-scoring Psychology EE. Make sure to incorporate all the above suggestions in your essay-writing process! For more inspiration, head to the Clastify website and check out our Psychology exemplars. To increase the chance of receiving a good grade, you can also check out our tips regarding the Psychology EE assessment criteria in this post.
Are you struggling with structuring your Psychology extended essay? Don't worry, Clastify is here to help! Below you'll find helpful tips on formatting and structuring your EE. While we recommend this structure based on our successful history of helping students receive top ratings for their essays, feel free to customize the guide below according to your preferences.
Psychology EE Format and Structure
The extended essay is a 4,000-word academic investigation. In Psychology, the essay must be a review of secondary sources and peer-reviewed research, as the collection of primary data is strictly prohibited for the EE.
Title Page and Table of Contents
Title Page Requirements – The title page must clearly state your student code, the focused research question, the subject (Psychology), and the final word count. To maintain academic integrity, ensure there is no student, supervisor, or school name anywhere on this page or in the file.
Table of Contents – This section is required at the start of the essay to show all subsections and their corresponding page numbers. It serves as a necessary guide for the reader to navigate the structure of your investigation.
Formatting Standards – The essay should be written in font size 12 with 1.5 line spacing to aid on-screen marking. Page numbering is mandatory and must begin on the first page immediately following the table of contents.
Introduction
Topic and Focus – Present your topic clearly and define the specific psychological issue that will be the focus of the investigation. This section tells the reader what to expect and outlines the scope of the research undertaken.
Context and Significance – Provide the necessary background information to establish the significance and purpose of your research. You should explain why the topic matters and how it connects to the wider context of the discipline.
Psychological Framing – Identify the psychological issue and use relevant terminology and concepts accurately to demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter. Consistent use of subject-specific "jargon" helps identify you as someone who understands the nature of psychology.
Approach and Sources – Indicate your research approach and provide an indication of the types of secondary sources and peer-reviewed literature you intend to use. This helps establish the methodology and the framework through which the analysis will occur.
Research Question – The introduction must explicitly state the focused research question. This question is the starting point for your line of argument and helps keep the essay within the 4,000-word limit.
Research Question
Nature and Clarity – The research question must be framed as an actual question, not a statement, and be clearly stated and focused. It should be specific enough to allow for an in-depth exploration within the scope of the essay.
Scope and Depth – The question should use clearly defined variables to invite critical examination and encourage analysis rather than a descriptive response. It must allow for the development of a reasoned argument and the synthesis of research findings.
Secondary Data Reliance – In Psychology, the research question must be answerable solely through the analysis of existing peer-reviewed research and secondary data. You must ensure there is a sufficient range of high-quality resources available to sustain the required depth of detail.
Methodology
Overall Strategy – Explain your methodology as the overall research strategy and justify why this lens is suitable for answering your research question. You should describe the specific procedures used to collect, sort, and organize the information.
Source Selection Criteria – Describe the criteria used to select your research materials and justify their relevance to the investigation. For secondary data, these selection criteria should be made explicit to show how you chose the peer-reviewed articles used in the essay.
Reliability and Range – Ensure you have a sufficient range of high-quality secondary sources to allow for an effective and balanced investigation. A more rigorous research process involving diverse, reputable sources is likely to lead to more reliable findings.
Analysis and Body
Reasoned Argumentation – Present the body of your essay as a reasoned argument where each paragraph makes one main point supported by evidence from your research. This involves breaking down the topic to establish relevant findings derived from the literature.
Sustained Line of Argument – Maintain a clear, logical thread that links the research question, findings, and conclusions throughout the entire essay. Using signposts like headings helps the reader follow where your argument has come from and where it leads.
Critical Analysis – Move beyond description to break down the topic and evaluate the research materials by weighing their strengths and limitations. Avoid over-extensive quoting; your knowledge and analytical skills must be evident in your own writing.
Terminology and Concepts – Consistently use accurate psychological terminology and key concepts to demonstrate a deep understanding of the topic. This specialized language identifies your work as a competent piece of academic psychological research.
Consistent Citations – Use a standard, consistent referencing style for all in-text citations to acknowledge the work and ideas of others. This practice supports academic integrity and builds trust with the reader.
Conclusion and Evaluation
Summative Conclusion – Provide a final, summative conclusion that directly and clearly answers the research question based on your findings. This section states what has been achieved through the research.
Don't Introduce New Data – Synthesize the main points made in the body of the essay without introducing any new information or ideas. The conclusion should be a well-explained synthesis of the results rather than a mere repetition of them.
Critical Evaluation – Discuss the effectiveness of your essay by evaluating your research materials and weighing their strengths and limitations. This involves being aware of the positions and views of the authors of your sources.
Unresolved Issues – Acknowledge any limitations of the research and suggest potential questions for further study that arose during the process. This demonstrates a reflective and thorough approach to the investigation.
Bibliography
Complete List of Sources – Provide a detailed list of all sources consulted during your research, ensuring they are presented in a standard academic format. A bibliography includes everything you read, while a reference list includes only what you cited.
Formatting and Consistency – Use a single referencing style consistently throughout the list and ensure all required information, such as author names and URLs, is included. Citation and referencing show that you know the writing conventions of your subject.
Word Count Exclusion – The bibliography/reference list is not included in the 4,000-word limit. This allows you to list all necessary materials without compromising the length of your analysis.
You are now one step closer to writing a high-scoring Psychology EE. Make sure to incorporate all the above suggestions in your essay-writing process! For more inspiration, head to the Clastify website and check out our Psychology exemplars. To increase the chance of receiving a good grade, you can also check out our tips regarding the Psychology EE assessment criteria in this post.
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